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The Qualifications Framework (QF) will play a pivotal role in integrating education, training and employment seamlessly, the Permanent Secretary for Education, Mrs Cherry Tse, said today (September 30) during the Introductory Seminar of the Career Information Series 2013-14 cum Seminar on QF.
She said that the Education Bureau (EDB) has been actively assisting various industries in setting up Industry Training Advisory Committees (ITACs) under the QF. The connections and networks established by the ITACs in various industries and the competency standards and progression pathways developed for the respective industries can provide secondary students with relevant industry information, including the training required for joining the industries as well as the development and promotion prospects. This information, together with that provided by the EDB Careers Guidance Team (CGT), can further help secondary students map out their future career plans.
Regarding the EDB's commitment to providing diversified study pathways with multiple entry and exit points for secondary school leavers, Mrs Tse said that to provide further support for schools to enhance their career guidance services, the EDB would help them offer individual planning and career education elements into the services for junior and senior secondary students through training, on-site support and other effective strategies.
Today's introductory seminar was co-organised by the CGT and the QF Secretariat to enable career guidance teachers and parents to understand the content of this year's career information series, the role of the QF in the career planning of secondary students and the resources provided by the CGT.
The Chairman of the Elderly Care Service ITAC, Professor Alfred Chan, and the Chairperson of the Hong Kong Association of Careers Masters and Guidance Masters, Dr Esther Ho, were also invited to the introductory seminar to share their views on the topics of the learning experience and career planning of secondary students and how to make use of the QF in career guidance respectively. Also present were 18 representatives from each of the other ITACs and about 120 career guidance teachers and parents.
The CGT and the QF Secretariat will hold six career information seminars from October 21 to December 16 covering career information on the 19 different industries. These seminars aim to enable teachers and secondary students to understand how the QF can facilitate students' planning of further study and careers.
The QF is a seven-level hierarchy covering qualifications in the academic, vocational and continuing education sectors, providing accessible articulation pathways for lifelong learning. Members of the public can visit the QF website (www.hkqf.gov.hk) for further information.
Ends/Monday, September 30, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:10
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